Chrysanthemum plant named &#39; MOZA LA 01&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant variety characterized by a daisy type inflorescence with pink/white color ray florets, flexible plant habit, vigorous growth habit, and consistent natural season flowering habit during late September.  
                       ‘MOZA LA 01’: Table of R.H.S. Color Codes                                   FOLIAGE   Leaf   young foliage upper surface   Near 138A             young foliage under surface   Near 138B             mature foliage upper surface   Near 137A             mature foliage under surface   Near 137B             venation upper surface   Near 138C             venation under surface   Near 137C     BLOOM   Ray Florets   upper surface at first opening   Near 59D             upper surface at maturity, tip   Near 70D             upper surface at maturity, base   Near 155D             upper surface at fading, tip   Near 62D             upper surface at fading, base   Near 155D             under surface at first opening   Near 54A             under surface at maturity, tip   Near 52D             under surface at maturity, base   Near 155D             under surface at fading, tip   Near 54D             under surface at fading, base   Near 155D             Pistillate: Stigma   Near 16D             Pistillate: Style   Near 16D         Disc Florets   at first opening   Near 15A             at maturity   Near 15B             at fading   Near 17A             Staminate: Anther   Near 16A             Staminate: Pollen   Near 17B         Peduncle       Near 138B         Inflorescence       Near 54A         Bud         Sepals   upper surface   Near 138A             under surface   Near 138A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum plant, botanically known as Dendranthema morifolium andherein after referred to by the cultivar name ‘MOZA LA 01.’

[0002] This new cultivar originated from hybridization of a femaleparent Chrysanthemum cultivar (unpatented in the United States) with amale parent Chrysanthemum cultivar (unpatented in the United States).The new cultivar was discovered by the inventor in November 1998.

[0003] Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by apical tip cuttingand meristem tissue culture was performed in Oxnard, CA and has shownthat the unique features of this new cultivar are stable and reproducedtrue to type on successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The cultivar ‘MOZA LA 01’ has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, daylength, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

[0005] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and aredetermined to be the unique characteristics of ‘MOZA LA 01.’ Thesecharacteristics in combination distinguish ‘MOZA LA 01’ as a new anddistinct Chrysanthemum:

[0006] 1. Daisy type inflorescence with pink/white color ray florets;

[0007] 2. Flexible plant habit;

[0008] 3. Vigorous growth habit; and

[0009] 4. Consistent natural season flowering habit during lateSeptember.

[0010] Plants of the new cultivar are similar to plants of the femaleparent cultivar in most horticultural characteristics, however plants ofthe new cultivar differed from plants of the female parent cultivar inthe following characteristics:

[0011] 1. The new cultivar has different color ray florets;

[0012] 2. The new cultivar is taller; and

[0013] 3. The new cultivar has a more flexible plant shape.

[0014] Plants of the new cultivar are similar to plants of the maleparent cultivar in most horticultural characteristics, however plants ofthe new cultivar differed from plants of the male parent cultivar in thefollowing characteristics:

[0015] 1. The new cultivar has different color ray florets;

[0016] 2. The new cultivar is taller; and

[0017] 3. The new cultivar naturally blooms 2 weeks later.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRPAHS

[0018] The photograph shows a close up view of the flowers and buds ofthe new cultivar.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0019] In the following description, color references are made to TheRoyal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe plants grown in a commercial filed on Oxnard,CA in the month of September 2000. The growing conditions range from 60°to 65° F. at night to 70° to 85° during the day. Measurements andnumerical values represent averages of typical flowering types.

[0020] Botanical classification: Dendranthema morifolium cultivar ‘MOZALA 01’

[0021] Commercial classification: Garden-type Chrysanthemum

[0022] Parentage: Hybridization of female parent Chrysanthemum cultivar(unpatented in the United States) with a male parent Chrysanthemumcultivar (unpatented in the United States)

[0023] Propagation

[0024]Time to rooting.—7 to 14 days at approximately 21° C.

[0025]Rooting habit.—Fine, fibrous

[0026] Plant

[0027]Growth habit.—Mounding herbaceous perennial

[0028]Height.—Approximately 29 cm

[0029]Growth rate.—Moderate

[0030]Branching characteristics.—Free Branching

[0031]Length of lateral branches.—Approximately 21 cm

[0032]Number of leaves per lateral branch.—Approximately 22

[0033]Stem color.—Near 138A

[0034] Foliage

[0035]Leaf.—Arrangement: Alternate single Average Length: Approximately7.8 cm Average Width: Approximately 4.7 cm Shape of blade: Ovate Apex:Acuminate Base: Attenuate Attachment: Stalked Margin: Serrate Texture oftop surface: Lightly pubescent Texture of bottom surface: Lightlypubescent Color: young foliage upper side: Near 138A young foliage underside: Near 138B mature foliage upper side: Near 137A mature foliageunder side: Near 137B venation upper side: Near 138C venation underside: Near 137C

[0036]Petiole.—Average Length: Approximately 2.9 cm

[0037] Bloom

[0038]Inflorescence.—Flowering habit: Induced by darkness period greaterthan 13.5 hours, approximately 49 days of appropriate day lengthrequired to induce and develop blooms Inflorescence form: Daisy Naturalflowering season: Approximately the last two weeks in September Numberof inflorescences per stem: Approximately 14 Inflorescence diameter:Approximately 4.5 cm Inflorescence depth: Approximately 1.5 cmInflorescence longevity on plant. Approximately 20-24 days Persistence.Persistent

[0039]Ray florets.—Appearance: Matte Texture: Smooth Average Numberperflower: Approximately 150 Shape: Oblanceolate Margin: Entire Apex:Acute Length: Approximately 2.0 cm Width: Approximately 0.8 cm Color:upper surface at first opening: Near 59D upper surface at maturity: Near70D at the tip; Near 155D at the base upper surface at fading: Near 62Dat the tip; Near 155D at the base under surface at first opening: Near54A under surface at maturity: Near 52D at the tip; Near 55D at the baseunder surface at fading: Near 54D at the tip; Near 1 55D at the base

[0040]Disc florets.—Appearance: Shiny Texture: Smooth Average numberperflower: Approximately 200 Shape: Cylindric Apex: Obtuse AverageLength: Approximately 0.8 cm Average Width: Approximately 0.3 cm Color:at first opening: Near 15A at maturity: Near 15B atfading: Near 17A

[0041]Peduncle.—Length: at terminal end (shortest): Approximately 5 cmat lateral end (longest): Approximately 9 cm Strength: Moderate Color:Near 138B Habit: Erect

[0042]Inflorescence bud.—Length: Approximately 1 cm Diameter:Approximately 1 cm Form: Globular Color: Near 54A

[0043]Sepals.—Appearance: Matte Texture: Lightly pubescent Number:Approximately 20 to 30 Shape: Ovate Margin: Entire Apex. Acute Color:upper side: Near 138A under side: Near 138A

[0044] Reproductive Organs

[0045]Ray florets.—Pistillate: Number of pistils per flower: 1 Stigmashape: 2 branched Stigma color: Near 16D Style color: Near 16D Stylelength: Approximately 0.6 cm

[0046]Disc florets.—Pistillate: Number of pistils per flower: 1 Stigmashape: Cylindric Style length: Approximately 0.5 cm Staminate: Number ofstamens per flower: Approximately 5 Anther shape: Tubular Anther color:Near 16A Pollen color: Near 17B

[0047] Other Characteristics

[0048]Disease resistance.—Neither resistance nor susceptibility observed

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of chrysanthemum plantnamed ‘MOZA LA 01’ as herein illustrated and described.